What is LIN? | Different designs | Products | The right product choice

HC-CARGO Regulators

 

What is the purpose of a regulator?

  • A fully charged battery is a prerequisite for a trouble-free functioning of a vehicle.
  • The device that monitors and controls the recharging of the battery is called a voltage regulator.
  • Regulators maintain the alternator voltage output constant across the engine’s complete speed range.
  • Modern regulators exchange information with the vehicle’s Engine Control Unit (ECU).
  • The respective medium of communication differs (e.g. BSS, LIN, RLO, RVC, RC or PWM).

Information exchange on the rise

  • Voltage regulators are designed to exchange information between the vehicle’s Engine Control Unit(s) and the alternator.
  • The information exchange allows for dynamic adjustments, such as load response or output current.
  • The sum of all adjustments leads to improvements of e.g. the charging system and the fuel economy.
  • Nowadays, reliable bidirectional communication is secured by communication protocols, such as BSS and LIN (see reference below).
  • Regulators that feature BSS and LIN are also called interface regulators.  
     

 

What is LIN?

LIN = Local Interconnect Network

Digital interface to share information & communicate with regulator.

 

 

 

 

Single / duplex communication

 

 

 

 

Different designs - 800+ applications to choose from in our online shop

Essential from the HC-CARGO portfolio:

Find the whole range of high quality regulators.

The Right Product Choice | Regulators

Alternators with a COM signal (approx. 400 units in our portfolio)

Avoid installing an alternator with a wrong signal:

Background

  • Searching via number plate can indicate 2 different alternators. From the installation point of view they are the same, but in terms of the signal totally different.

What can happen if an alternator with the wrong signal is installed?

  • The alternator may not charge correctly. The lamp in the dashboard will indicate this immediately or after some minutes after the engine has been started.
  • Note: OE manufacturers are constantly developing their regulators further. Installing an alternator with the wrong signal might in the future cause more serious problems for the vehicles’ operation.

Solution

  • If customers search via the OE number, they will be sure to get the right alternator with the correct signal.

We highlight the issue with this remark in the online web shop:

  • Remarks This alternator has a COM terminal on the regulator. It is recommended that the OEM number is used to check suitability before ordering.”